Disciplined services back police on knife attack

The heads of five of Hong Kong’s disciplined services on Saturday issued a joint statement condemning the knife attack on a policeman in Causeway Bay on Thursday.

The officer, who is now in a stable condition after being critical, had been on duty near the Sogo department store. His assailant, a 50-year-old man, died after stabbing himself in the chest.

“We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in which a police officer on duty was attacked with a knife on July 1, and later some people even glorified the act of the attacker as heroism on social media. We fully support the Police’s resolute enforcement actions and would like to thank the police officers for their commitment to duties. We also wish the injured police officer a speedy recovery and extend our regards to his family members,” the statement said.

The statement slammed online support for the assailant, saying it could have catastrophic consequences by encouraging copycat attacks. It said the disciplined forces would remain united and fully co-operate with the Police.

Earlier in the day, security chief Chris Tang condemned those whom, he said, were glorifying terrorism and encouraging violence, following the stabbing.

Speaking to reporters, Tang said he was shocked that some people had brought their children to mourn the attacker. White flowers, associated with mourning, had been laid near the department store.

The stabbing took place late on July 1, a public holiday marking SAR Establishment Day, which also coincided with the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party.

There had been a heavy police presence in Causeway Bay, and nearby Victoria Park, to stop people gathering for an annual pro-democracy march. The police had banned the march for a second year due to the pandemic.

The statement also praised Beijing’s imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong, saying it had restored order in the SAR.

The statement was issued in the name of the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Joseph Leung; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; and the Controller of the Government Flying Service, Captain Wu Wai-hun.